Entertainer desk
8 April
Sandeep Dhand
Journalist & Research Analysist
A Mumbai court has re-issued a bailable warrant against Bollywood actress Malaika Arora for failing to appear as a witness in the 2012 assault case involving actor Saif Ali Khan. The incident took place at a five-star hotel in Mumbai, where Saif allegedly assaulted NRI businessman Iqbal Mir Sharma. Malaika was part of the dinner group that night, which included Kareena Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor, Amrita Arora, and a few male friends.
The alleged incident occurred on February 22, 2012. Sharma reportedly objected to the loud behavior of the group, after which Saif allegedly punched him, breaking his nose. Sharma also claimed that Saif and his friends attacked his father-in-law, Raman Patel. Following the complaint, Saif, along with friends Shakeel Ladak and Bilal Amrohi, was arrested but later released on bail.
Earlier, on February 15, the Esplanade Court had issued a bailable warrant against Malaika after she failed to appear in court. Since she remained absent again, the court re-issued the warrant on Monday. Chief Judicial Magistrate K.S. Zaver is currently recording witness statements in the case. The next hearing is scheduled for April 29.
Meanwhile, Saif has denied the charges, claiming that Sharma provoked the group with insulting language directed at the women accompanying him. Saif and the other two accused have been chargesheeted under Section 325 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to voluntarily causing grievous hurt.
Malaika’s absence has delayed proceedings, as she is considered an important witness. The court’s decision to re-issue the warrant reflects its seriousness about the matter and its efforts to ensure that all key witnesses appear for testimony.